When I wander
don’t tell me to come and sit down.
Wander with me.
It may be because I am hungry, thirsty, need the toilet.
Or maybe I just need to stretch my legs.

When I call for my mother
(even though I’m ninety!)
don’t tell me she has died.
Reassure me, cuddle me, ask me about her.
It may be that I am looking for the security
that my mother once gave me.

When I shout out
please don’t ask me to be quiet…or walk by.
I am trying to tell you something,
but have difficulty in telling you what.
Be patient. Try to find out.
I may be in pain.

When I become agitated or appear angry,
please don’t reach for the drugs first.
I am trying to tell you something.
It may be too hot, too bright, too noisy.
Or maybe it’s because I miss my loved ones.
Try to find out first.

When I don’t eat my dinner or drink my tea
it may be because I’ve forgotten how to.
Show me what to do, remind me.
It may be that I just need to hold my knife and fork
I may know what to do then.

When I push you away
while you’re trying to help me wash or get dressed,
maybe it’s because I have forgotten what you have said.
Keep telling me what you are doing
over and over and over.
Maybe others will think
you’re the one that needs the help!

With all my thoughts and maybes,
perhaps it will be you
who reaches my thoughts,
understands my fears,
and will make me feel safe.

Maybe it will be you
who I need to thank.

If only I knew how.

Norman McNamara, affectionately known as Norrms shared this poem with The Caregiver’s Voice. Although, we were unable to find the poet, we are posting this to honor Norrms and others who also walk the road of dementia and are taking steps to bring to light what it means to live with this disease.

Poem slightly edited and formatted. (TCV Ed.)

About the Author

Brenda Avadian, MA, serves as President of The Caregiver's Voice. In the midst of caring for her late father with Alzheimer's disease, she founded The Caregiver's Voice to bring fresh voices and much-needed information to family caregivers and professionals. An author of nine books, including a best seller, she writes 100 articles each year and serves as a national spokesperson for caregivers for people with dementia.

5 Comments

LynOctober 17, 2012 at 6:33 pm

Yesterday we had a training session dealing with dementia.
Today I found this beautiful poem from an unknown poet.
Tomorrow I shall post this on our noticeboard in our Resthome
Thanks Norrms for finding it and submitting to this site.
Lyn (NZ)

“MAYBE”- A very inspiring poem, a good food for thought for everyone and a good learning tool for caregivers and families. I would definitely share this to my staff and plan to enlarge it and post it in the facilities am involve with….Bless Norrms heart.

Rangi, thank you for commenting.
Please be sure to include the credit information below the poem as Norrms doesn’t know who the author is and I have edited it slightly.
Brenda Avadian, MA
TCV Editor + and more!

Carol WrightJuly 17, 2012 at 9:54 am

Norms got message that this poem has been circulating and doing some good. The Cardiff Cancer Unit worked it up into a nice format, which you can see here. I took that and made it into an 8.5×11 flyer, which you can see in the Files area of Dementia Aware on Facebook.http://www.scribd.com/doc/100315682/Norms-Poem

So YOU’RE the one who created it like this?
NICE.
I wrote to him this morning about the confusing part–placing his name under the poem, which makes it appear as if he was the poet.
Perhaps something like “Unknown Poet” Shared by Norrms McNamara